Description

A creamy, flavorful one-pot Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta combining tender chicken, sautéed vegetables, and a cheesy ranch-spiced sauce with a hint of heat from chili flakes. This comforting dish is quick to prepare and perfect for an easy weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

1 pound boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
2 tablespoons salted butter

Vegetables & Herbs

1 yellow onion, sliced
2 poblano peppers, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Spices & Seasonings

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (for chicken)
3–4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (for vegetables and pasta)
Chili flakes, to taste

Dairy & Sauces

2 cups milk
2 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Carbohydrates

1 pound short cut pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)

Instructions

Cook the chicken: In a large pot set over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add the cubed chicken along with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, add the sliced onions, chopped poblano peppers, garlic, and 2 to 3 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Cook for several minutes until the vegetables become soft and fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Cook the pasta: Add the short cut pasta to the pot along with the chopped parsley and 2 cups of water. Stir well and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Make sure the pasta absorbs most of the liquid but still has some sauce.
Make the creamy sauce: Stir in the milk, cream cheese, ranch dressing, and grated Parmesan cheese into the pot. Mix thoroughly until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and well combined. Adjust seasoning with chili flakes according to your preferred level of heat.
Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and gently fold it into the creamy pasta mixture until the chicken is evenly distributed and warmed through.
Serve: Immediately plate the Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this rich, flavorful one-pot meal!

Notes

You can substitute poblano peppers with bell peppers for a milder flavor.
If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or chili flakes.
Using cream cheese helps create a creamy texture without needing heavy cream.
Short cut pasta types such as penne, rigatoni, or shells work best to hold the sauce.
To reduce cook time, you can prepare the chicken beforehand or use pre-cooked chicken strips.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, one pot pasta, ranch dressing pasta, spicy chicken pasta, easy dinner, stovetop pasta